“Diversity in the
Workplace”
A Workshop for SDFs
Facilitated by Theresa Oakley-Smith
Overview of the Workshop

Why do we need training in Diversity?

What is workplace diversity?

What are its challenges?

Understanding the transformation framework (BBEE;EE;SD)

Assessing my life experiences

Understanding stereotyping

Impact of stereotyping in the workplace

Implementing diversity in the workplace

Leveraging diversity in the workplace
“If relationships
within organisations
are not based on
valued diversity, then
how will we interact in
a proactive and
positive way with a
diverse outside
world”
What is dversity?
“Diversity is the sum of all the
people who bring a variety of
backgrounds, styles,
perspectives, values and
beliefs as assets to the groups
and organisations in which
they interact”.
Diversity Concepts:
Managing Diversity
Creating a climate in which the
potential advantages of diversity for
organisational or group performance
are maximised while the potential
disadvantages are minimised.
(Cox & Beale)
Implementing management initiatives
and practices in such a way that the
environment works for all employees.
(Carnevale & Kogod)
What is Valuing Diversity?
“Recognising and appreciating that
individuals are different, that
diversity is an advantage if it is
valued and well managed.”
“Diversity is not simply to be
tolerated but encouraged,
supported and nurtured.”
Benefits of Managed Diversity
in the Workplace
Performance advantages
Enhances creativity &
innovation
Improves problem
solving quality
Enhances marketing
(cross cultural difference
in consumer behaviour)
Enhances organisational
flexibility
Challenges of Diversity
Stereotypes & associated
assumptions
Actual cultural differences
Exclusivity of “in-group” and / or
associated access to information
& relationships
Unwritten rules & double
standards for success
Lack of Communication
Assessing my Life
Experiences
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Family of origin
Neighbourhood as a
child
Primary School
High School
First work experience
Current work experience
Neighbourhood now
Current friendship
groups
Stereotyping
Stereotyping is an unconscious process
by which individuals are viewed as
members of groups, & the information we
have stored in our minds about the group
is ascribed to the individual.
Stereotyping is an exaggerated belief
associated with a category
Its function is to justify / rationalise our
conduct in relation to that category
A stereotype is not necessarily a valid
generalisation about the group
It is never applicable to all members of
the group
Stereotypes in the
Workplace
Encourage low expectations
Encourage managers to perceive risk in
employing minority groups
Affect how jobs are assigned
Affect how people are treated (e.g. as
subordinates)
Result in low morale / loss of energy
Reduce motivation
Sources of Learning
You’ve Got To Be Taught…
You’ve got to be taught
to hate and fear
You’ve got to be taught
from year to year
You’ve got to be taught
before it’s too late
before you’re six or
seven or eight
to hate all people
your relatives hate
You’ve got to be carefully
taught.
The Diversity Journey
Getting to know
Getting to accept
Getting to value
DIVERSITY AGENDA
Managing Effectively
Leveraging difference
Business Benefits
Implementation Plan
Conduct A Diversity Audit
Consult
Analysis
• Questionnaire
• Interviews
• Observations
Revising Policy
Develop Report
Plan/Design Diversity
Strategy
Goals
Objectives
Methodology
Mentoring
Maintenance
Link to other initiatives
BBBEE
SD
EE
Barriers to implementation
Failure of senior leadership to be
involved
Complexity not understood
Business imperative not understood
Insufficient resources
Failure to understand the need
Internal or External
Internal
Cost effective
Ownership
Sustainability
Understanding of
organisation
Inexperience
Dealing with conflict
Career limiting
External
 Expertise
 Comparison
 Credibility
 Deal with emotion
better
 Openness
 Trust
 Professionalism
Skills Transfer
How to evaluate providers
Accreditation
Track record
CV’s of trainers
Organisational fit
Prepared to customise
Ongoing support
Develop Strength in
diversity
 Ask questions
 Research
 Listen
 Educate
 Practise
 Reflect
Structural Pillars
BB BEE
OWNERSHIP
CONTROL
PROCUREMENT
CSI
EMPLOYMENT
EQUITY
NUMERICAL GOALS
ENABLING ENVIRONMENT
AFFIRMATIVE ACTION
SKILLS
DEVELOPMENT
DEVELOPMENT / TRAINING
COACHING MENTORING
INTEGRATED PLAN FASSET
Olive Schreiner:
“The ultimate chant of the
human race is not to be
conceived as a monotone
chanted on one note by one
form of humanity alone but
rather as choral symphony
chanted by all races and all
nations in diverse tones on
different notes in one grand
complex harmony”
Thank You!